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[ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback insteadThe Hero's Journey vs The Three Act Structure : Writers' Block Party • Page 2 • Writing Forum | WritersDigest.com

We should bear in mind that writing without structure or forethought doesn't necessitate writing gibberish, nor does it necessitate more than one draft to be marketable. Once again, whatever works for you is what you should do.

"It seems rather like wanting to be ... a writer, rather than wanting to write. It should be a by-product, not a thing in itself. Otherwise, it's just an ego trip." - Roger Zelazny

No disagreement here. I love the idea of writing a loose first draft in which anything can happen. But then rework it till everything is as good as I can make it (sometimes it takes me months to get that idea that finishes the story).

I just tell a story. Both the Hero's Journey and the Three Act Structure are illusions. The first is nothing more than a standard quest style story, and is as likely to have three acts as any other story. As for the three acts, they're nothing more than putting a bitof a break in two places. The design of this is sim[ly to give the actors in a stage place a chance to change the set and costumes, and the audience a chance to stretch, drink, smoke, or whatever.

Great, successful movies have been made from every type of novel there is, and I know from experience that the ONLY thing Hollywood cares about at all is box office numbers, and usually base this on number of book sales.

I think that yes having some form of timing in your novel is a good idea, you need to know when to move on from the set up, to the action to the conclusion so having that structure there can help with that. Buuuuut I think that is is less important to have is clearly see-able to the reader as you suggested in your post.

If you are writing a short than yes having a beginning middle and end all clearly there on the page is important but a novel is a much more fluid in it's rhythm as you have multiple plot point within a novel that might all be a different points in that structural arc. I would just keep in mind the rhythm of the structure you want to use and let it just guide you in the shaping of your novel rather than trying to make it form clear sections?

“Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable. Let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all.” ― Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Is it too late to reply to this post? I just want to thank Shadowwalker. My first 2 novels are in the closet because I paid too much attention to those technical aspects of writing and got lost in them, although the 2nd one did generate some interest. This time I'm just writing my story. Much better and actually enjoying it more.